GECs
HBO Asia to air first original series
MUMBAI: Viewers of HBO Asia – a channel so far synonymous with Hollywood films and original US series – have reason to smile.
Starting 22 September, the Asian arm of HBO will premiere its first original series – Serangoon Road – a detective noir set in Singapore of the swinging 60s, every Sunday, from 9:00 to 10:00 pm.
According to HBO Asia head, programming and production Erika North, unlike earlier international series, Serangoon Road, which she describes as ‘the right mix of mystery, romance, action and politics’, sees Asians playing a significant role.
“It portrays both international and Asian characters, who find themselves in mysterious situations which need to be solved,” says North, pointing out that the series brings together Asian and western characters that are equally strong.
Serangoon Road promises mystery that reaches a climax in the last episode, with characters drawn from different sections of the society. “You will see gangsters, secret service agents, people working in China Town among others, who have their own unique and compelling stories to tell in the backdrop of 60s Singapore,” informs North.
Rich in narrative as well as the visual department, shooting of the series began in August last year and was completed this February. “Prior to that, we were working on the script.” says North and adds: “The journey began nearly three years ago when Paul Barren, the original producer of the show, came to the HBO Asia office and pitched the concept.”
The series is part of HBO Asia’s larger objective of creating an Asian dimension to an essentially US-based brand. “We are looking at making something which is far more premium and international than what is produced in Asia, and is still more authentic,” exults North.
Serangoon Road breaks ground in more ways than one. “It’s wonderful to have a series that represents a lot of firsts. One, it is HBO Asia’s first original series. Second, it is the first ever co-production of HBO Asia with ABC TV Australia. Also, it is ABC TV Australia’s first prime-time drama, shot in Asia. Last, it is the first biggest co-production in both Singapore and Australia on TV,” elaborates North, adding “Also, with it, we hope to pave the way for more such originals for HBO Asia.”
A co-production, the series’ lead partners are HBO Asia and ABC TV Australia, and it has received considerable support from both the governments. “In Singapore, the MDA and IFW, which is a local production house, have supported us with investments. And in Australia, while ABC is the national broadcaster, Screen West Australia is another partner. We have also tied up with Content Media Corporation as the international distribution partner,” says North.
The world premiere of the series will be telecast on HBO Asia, HBO Defined and ABC TV Australia, the channel “thereafter, hopes to sell it internationally too,” she adds.
About looking at India for producing more such HBO Asia originals, North says: “It all depends on finding the right stories and getting the business model right. There are wonderful stories coming out of India. Stories which I know we can tell well and package it well for our Indian viewer base.”
Directed by Peter Andrikidis and Tony Tilse and written by Michaeley O’Brien and Tony Morphett, Serangoon Road is HBO Asia’s attempt to create a connect with its Asian viewers. We wish them every success.
GECs
Sahara One reports financial results, notes director exit and business realignment
Muted revenues, steady expenses and strategic adjustments shape company’s current phase
MUMBAI: In a tale where the sands seem to be slipping faster than they can be gathered, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited has reported another quarter of wafer-thin income and widening losses, even as a boardroom exit adds to the unease.
The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its board, in a meeting held on April 4, approved its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The numbers paint a stark picture. Total income for the quarter stood at just Rs 0.13 lakh, unchanged sequentially and sharply down from Rs 0.26 lakh a year earlier.
Losses, meanwhile, deepened. The company posted a net loss of Rs 24.16 lakh for the quarter, compared to Rs 18.81 lakh in the June quarter and Rs 39.69 lakh in the same period last year. For the six months ended September 2025, the cumulative loss stood at Rs 39.69 lakh, while the full-year loss for FY25 was reported at Rs 60.72 lakh.
Expenses continued to outweigh income by a wide margin. Total expenses for the quarter came in at Rs 24.30 lakh, led by employee benefit costs of Rs 6.51 lakh and other expenses of Rs 17.78 lakh. Earnings per share remained in the red at Rs (0.11) for the quarter.
The balance sheet reflects a company with significant assets on paper but limited operational momentum. Total assets stood at Rs 23,065.57 lakh as of September 30, 2025, broadly unchanged from March 2025. Equity share capital remained steady at Rs 2,152.50 lakh, while total equity was reported at Rs 18,004.85 lakh.
Cash and cash equivalents saw a modest uptick to Rs 6.75 lakh from Rs 4.68 lakh earlier, supported by a positive operating cash flow of Rs 180.01 lakh for the period.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a more complex narrative. The company’s auditors flagged their inability to obtain sufficient evidence to form a conclusion on the financial statements, citing lack of access to records. They also raised concerns over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, pointing to insufficient funds, delayed recoveries, and stalled content investments.
Adding to the governance overhang, the company disclosed that Rana Zia has resigned as whole-time director, effective October 16, 2025, citing other professional commitments. The resignation, noted and accepted by the board, also brings an end to her role across company committees.
Regulatory pressures continue to loom large. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has already initiated penal actions for non-compliance with listing norms, with trading in the company’s shares remaining suspended. There is also a risk of promoter demat accounts being frozen.
Legacy legal issues remain unresolved. A substantial deposit of Rs 694,027.88 thousand linked to the long-running OFCD dispute involving Sahara group entities is still under the purview of the Supreme Court of India. Restrictions on asset disposal continue to weigh on the company’s financial flexibility.
Operationally, challenges persist across multiple fronts. Advances worth Rs 1,92,916 thousand given for film content remain stuck, with delays in project completion and uncertain recoverability. The company’s YouTube channel, despite being operational, has generated no revenue for over three years due to compliance lapses. In a further twist, management has indicated that revenues may have been fraudulently diverted through unauthorised changes to its AdSense account, with a police complaint in the works.
There are also missed revenue opportunities. Television content rights continue to be used by a related party despite the expiry of the licence agreement, with fresh negotiations still underway.
For now, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited appears caught between legacy disputes and present-day operational hurdles. As losses linger and governance questions mount, the road to recovery looks less like a sprint and more like a slow trudge through shifting sands.
